AI is becoming part of nearly everything we do, whether we like it or not. Now, Google is using advanced technology to rewrite the rules of search with its new AI Mode. It will change how your prospective clients search for information, discover content, and find businesses like yours. Understanding this shift is key to staying visible and competitive online. Read on to learn what Google’s AI Mode is and how to adapt your digital marketing strategy to keep up.
What is Google AI Mode?
Google’s AI Mode is now part of regular Google Search. Unlike standard search results that yield an endless list of links and blurbs, AI Mode delivers summarized, conversational answers similar to those generated by AI models like ChatGPT. It synthesizes information from multiple sources, including web pages, images, and videos, delivering a ready-to-use response. By clicking “Dive deeper in AI Mode,” people can ask follow-up questions inside the search bar. This two-way interaction is a major advancement of Google’s AI Overview feature, which rolled out in 2024 and provided static text summaries beneath the search bar, above the links.
What Does It Mean for Businesses Like Yours?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has always been the go-to strategy for growing online visibility, attracting clients, and driving conversions. This is still the case. SEO is your best bet for visibility, but it’s not just about topping search results with the right keywords anymore. With Google’s AI Mode, SEO is more sophisticated.
The new challenge is getting your content selected for AI-generated responses. Both AI Overview and AI Mode pull information from diverse online channels. Without AI-centered SEO, your business risks losing clicks, traffic, and conversions—simply because it’s no longer part of the customer’s decision-making journey. AI Mode changes how people interact with search. They no longer need to scroll through multiple links to find you. They may click only on what AI highlights and skip the rest.
How to Optimize to Appear in AI Mode
Business owners tend to fall into two camps: those who embrace AI and those who don’t want it anywhere near their brand. Regardless of where you stand, AI Mode is reshaping search, and it’s time to start playing by a new set of rules.
Want to appear in AI-driven results? Think like AI. This doesn’t mean using AI to create your content—doing so may actually hurt your content writing.
What Does “Think Like AI” Mean?
AI Mode prioritizes content based on relevance, authority, and context. When shaping your digital presence, focus on meeting those criteria by creating useful, trustworthy content that answers what people are asking.
How to Create Content that Wins the AI Race
Here are some practical tips for winning in the AI race:
Manage a content-rich website. If you offer professional services, for example, make sure your page clearly explains what you do. Mark up key website sections such as Services, FAQs, About, and more.
Structure your content and data. Think like AI by crafting clearly structured content that’s easy to scan. This makes your content crawlable and helps AI extract relevant answers. Use headings, bullet points, and concise sections.
Rather than writing long-reads, divide your content into focused sections, each addressing a specific topic or question in 300–800 words. Keep in mind that you are writing for humans, not bots. People want content they can skim for the information they need.
Use the “problem-solution” format. What would your potential clients search for if they were looking for services you provide? Don’t think in keywords. Think in topics and questions. Listen to your audience and answer real questions.
Stick to Your Niche. Your chances of appearing in AI summaries increase when you showcase Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust (E-E-A-T) through original, expert-driven writing.
Post and Publish Often. Keep your content fresh and accurate, but avoid posting for the sake of posting. Low-quality content won’t appear in AI answers.
Optimize Across Channels. AI scans beyond your website. Maintain a consistent, SEO-friendly presence across social media, reviews, video, and images.
Keep Investing in SEO. SEO is changing, but it’s here to stay. Well-optimized sites still have a better shot at appearing in AI-generated responses.
Staying on top means keeping pace with shifting algorithms, evolving content trends, and the rise of AI-powered tools. If that feels overwhelming, you don’t have to navigate it alone — the On Target team is here to help. With over 20 years of experience, we’ve seen the trends, adapted to every innovation, and helped businesses like yours thrive through every digital shift. From SEO to blogs, video, and social media, we craft content that helps your brand stand out—and show up where it matters most. Let’s connect and build your strategy!